Display devices



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20. 1968 llll RN M mm 7 #6 1 Wm MQ m Q J a a M N W/ WWW v 3.6 m "H m H m ,H m n B u -w 4 7 Sept. 30, 1969 N. c. KATEGIAN DISPLAY DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20. 1968 88, III

42 I/VVENTOR. NICK CKATEG/A/V WW5 p 0, 1969 I N. c. KATEGIAN 3,469,334

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed Sept. 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I/VVE/VTOR. N/CK C KATEG/A/V United States Patent US. Cl. 40106.25 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A putting display device embodying an inclined ramp and a ball return device for continuously putting a golf ball and returning the ball to the putting position.

Background of the invention This invention relates to display devices and, more particularly, to devices for use in displaying putting practice devices of the ball-return type, and the like.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel putting display device.

Putting display devices have been heretofore known in the art. However, such devices as have been heretofore known have commonly had several inherent disadvantages such as, for example, not affording a pleasing appearance; being complicated in construction and operation; being expensive to construct; being difiicult to assemble; or being ineflicient and unreliable in operation, and the like. It is an important object of the present invention to overcome such disadvantages.

Another object is to afford a novel display device for ball return devices of the practice-putting type, which is capable of repeating indefinitely, and fully automatically, a cycle of operation wherein a golf ball is fed from a putting position to a ball return device and is then fed by the ball return device back to the putting position for the start of another cycle of operation.

Another object is to afford a novel putting display device which is reliable in operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type which affords an attractive appearing unit for the commercial display of practice-putting ball return devices.

A further object is to afford a novel putting display device which can be readily constructed from box-board and the like.

Another object is to afford a novel putting display device which can be readily assembled, and which lends itself well to shipping and distribution in substantially fully assembled condition.

A further object is to afford a novel putting display device which is efiicient and practical in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

Description of the drawings In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled putting 3,469,334 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 display device embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6, 7, 7a, 8 and 9 are each top plan views of blanks from which various respective portions of the display device shown in FIG. 1 are constructed; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the display device shown in FIG. 1.

Description of the embodiment shown herein A putting display device 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in the drawings to illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention.

The display device 1 embodies, in general, an opentopped housing 2 having a floor member 3 mounted therein, with a ball return device 4 mounted on an end of the floor member 3, FIGS. 1 and 2. The floor member 3 includes a ramp 5 which is inclined downwardly toward the ball return device '4, and in the operation of the display device 1, a golf ball rolls by gravity down along the ramp 5 from a putting position P to the ball return device 4, and is automatically returned to the putting position P for the automatic initiation of another cycle of operation.

The various parts of the display device 1, with the exception of the ball return device 4, are preferably made of suitable sheet material such as, for example, box-board, or the like. The device 4 may be any suitable form of ball return device but preferably is a ball return device of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,003,- 769, issued to John R. Brandell on Oct. 10, 1961.

The housing 2 is preferably in the form of an opentopped box having a bottom wall 6, two upright parallel side walls 7 and 8 extending the length of respective opposite longitudinal sides of the bottom wall 6, and two upright parallel end walls 9 and 10 extending the length of respective opposite ends of the bottom wall 6, FIGS. 1 and 2.

The housing 2 is preferably of one-piece construction, and is preferably made from a single blank 11 of suitable sheet material such as, for example, the aforementioned box-board. As shown in FIG. 9, the marginal edges of the bottom wall 6 are defined on the blank 11 by two parallel score lines 12 and 13 at the sides thereof, and two parallel score lines 14 and 15 at the ends thereof. The wall portions 7-10 are connected to the adjacent marginal edge portions of the bottom wall 6 along the score lines 1245, respectively.

The end wall 9 of the blank 11, FIG. 9, is made up of two panels 16 and 17 connected together along a score line 18, which is disposed in parallel spaced relation to the score line 14. Two panels 16a and 17a project outwardly from one end of the panels 16 and 17, respectively, and are connected to the adjacent end of the end wall 9 along a score line 19. The two panels 16a and 17a are connected together along a score line 20, and are separated from the adjacent side wall 7 by a slit or cut line 21. At the other end of the end wall 9, two panels 16b and 17b are connected to the panels 16 and 17 along a score line 22. The panels 16b and 17b are connected together along a score line 23, and are separated from the side wall 8 by a slit or cut line 24.

The end wall 10, in the blank 11, is constructed similarly to the end wall 9. It embodies two panels 25 and 26 connected together along a score line 27 disposed in parallel spaced relation to the score line 15, FIG. 9. Two panels 25a and 26a are connected to one end of the panels 25 and 26, respectively, along a score line 28. The panels 25a and 26a are connected together along a score line 29, and are separated from the side wall 7 by a slit or out line 30. At the other end of the end wall 10, two panels 25b and 26b are connected to the adjacent end thereof along a score line 31. The panels 25b and 26b are connected together along a score line 32, and are separated from the side wall 8 by a slit or cut line 33.

In the blank 11, FIG. 9, the side wall 7 embodies two panels 34 and 35 connected together along a score line 36 disposed in parallel spaced relation to the score line 12. A plurality of spaced tongues 37 project outwardly from the outer longitudinal edge portion of the side wall 7 in position to engage in respective slits 38 formed in the bottom wall 6, when the housing 2 is disposed in assembled position, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.

Similarly, in the blank 11, the side wall 8 embodies two panels 39 and 40 connected together along a score line 41 disposed in parallel spaced relation to the score line 13, FIG. 9. The side wall 8 also embodies a plurality of spaced tongues 42 projecting outwardly from the longitudinal free edge portion of the side wall 8 in position to engage in slits 43 formed in the bottom wall 6 when the housing 2 is disposed in assembled position.

In assembling the housing 2, the panels 16, 16a and 16b may be folded upwardly and then downwardly around the score lines 18, 20 and 23, respectively, into faceto-face engagement with the panels 17, 17a and 17b, respectively. Similarly, the panels 25, 25a and 25b of the end wall 10 may be folded upwardly and then downwardly around the score lines 27, 29 and 32 into faceto-face engagement with the panels 26, 26a and 26b. Thereafter, the end walls 9 and 10, with the respective end panels attached thereto, may be folded upwardly around the fold lines 14 and 15 into upright position. The pair of end panels 16a and 17a and the pair of end panels 25a and 26a may then be folded inwardly around the fold lines 19 and 28, respectively, into vertical alignment with the score line 12; and the pair of end panels 16b and 17b and the pair of end panels 25b and 26b may likewise be folded inwardly around the score lines 22 and 31, respectively, into vertical alignment with the score line 13.

With the end walls 9 and 10 and their respective attached end panels thus disposed in upright position, the side walls 7 and 8 may be folded upwardly around the score lines 12 and 13, respectively, into parallel, outwardly disposed relation to the pairs of end panels 16a- 17a and 25a-26a, and the pairs of end panels 16b-17b and 25b-26b, respectively. Thereafter, the panels 35 and 39 of the side walls 7 and 8, respectively, may be folded downwardly around the score lines 36 and 41, respectively, into inwardly disposed, parallel juxtaposition to the inner faces of the adjacent respective end panels on the end walls 9 and 10, and the tongues 37 and 42 may be inserted downwardly through the slots 38 and 43, respectively, to thereby efiectively latch the housing 2 in fully erected position.

Like the housing 2, the floor member 3 is preferably made from a blank 44 of suitable sheet material, such as, for example, box-board, or the like. As shown in FIG. 6, in the blank 44 the ramp portion 5 of the floor member 3 is defined at its outer longitudinal side edges by two respective parallel score lines 45 and 46, and at its ends by two respective score lines 47 and 48. Another score line 49 is disposed in parallel relation to the score lines 47 and 48, outwardly of the score line 47, to define the inner marginal edge of an end portion 50 of the floor member 5, with the score lines 47 and 49 defining opposite marginal edges of an intermediate portion 51 by which the end portion 50 is connected to the ramp 5. Two outwardly projecting side panels 52 and 53 extend along the score lines 45 and 46, respectively, from the score line 48 to the score line 47, FIG. 6. An end panel 54 projects outwardly from the score line 48 and extends therealong between the score lines 45 and 46.

The outer longitudinal edge 55 of the panel 54 is disposed in substantially parallel relation to the score line 48. The outer longitudinal edges 56 and 57 of the side panels 52 and 53 slope inwardly toward the ramp 5 from the score line 48 to the score line 57, with each of the panels 52 and 53, at the score line 47 having a width equal to the width between the score lines 47 and 49, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently. Midway between the score lines 45 and 46, a tong e 58, which extends from the score line 47 to the score line 49 in the blank 44, is defined by a slit or cut line 59.

The floor member 3 may be readily erected from the fiat blank 44 shown in FIG. 6 into position to be operatively disposed in the housing 2. To accomplish this, the panels 51-54 may first be folded downwardly around the score lines 47, 45, 46 and 48, respectively, into upright position, and the end portion 50 may then be folded upwardly around the score line 49 into substantially fiat horizontally extending position. Thereafter, the floor member 3 may be inserted downwardly through the opentopped housing 2 into position wherein the end portion 50 and the lower edges of the panels 52-54 rest on the upper face of the bottom wall 6 of the housing 2, with the panels 5254 disposed inwardly of the walls 7, 8 and 10, respectively, in parallel juxtaposition thereto, and with the end of the end portion 50 remotely disposed from the score line 49 disposed in abutting engagement with the inner face of the end wall 9 of the housing 2.

The width of the panels 51 and 54, and the slope of the outer marginal edges of the panels 52 and 53 are such that when the floor member 3 is thus disposed in the housing 2, the end portion 50 is disposed in flat, parallel juxtaposition to the upper face of the bottom wall 6, and the ramp 5 slopses downwardly from the end wall 10 to the intermediate portion 51 at such an angle that a round object, such as, for example, a golf ball will roll downwardly from the end wall 10 to the end portion 50.

In the erection of the floor member 3, the downward folding movement of the intermediate portion 51 around the fold line 47 is effective to free the tongue '58 from the intermediate portion 51, and, as may be seen in FIG. 2, when the floor member 3 is disposed in operative position in the housing 2, the tongue 58 projects outwardly above the inner edge portion of the end portion 50, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

In the assembled display device 1, FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball return device 4 is disposed in underlying relation to the tongue 58 closely adjacent to the intermediate portion 51 of the floor member 3. A panel member 60, FIGS. 1 and 2, is afforded for holding the ball return device 4 in proper assembled position relative to the floor member 3 and the housing 2.

Preferably, the panel member 60 is formed from a flat blank 61, FIG. 8, of suitable material such as, for example, the aforementioned box-board. The blank 61 is substantially rectangular in shape, having a center panel 62 to the opposite longitudinal edges of which are connected two panels 63 and 64 by score lines 65 and 66, respectively. A flap 67 is defined by a slit or out line 68 at the longitudinal central portion of the center panel 62 adjacent to the score line 66. The out line 68 is of such size and configuration that, when the flap 67 is folded downwardly around the score line 66, the ball return device 4 may be inserted upwardly through the opening defined by the out line 68 and be snugly received therein.

In assembling the ball return device 4 and the panel 60, the flap 67 may first be turned downwardly around the score line 66, and the ball return device 4 may then be inserted upwardly into the opening defined by the cut line 68. The flap 67 may then be folded upwardly around the score line 66 into underlying relation to the ball return device 4, and the side panel 64 may be folded downwardly and then upwardly around the score line 66 into underlying relation to the flap 67 and the ball return device 4. Thereafter, the side panel 63 may be turned downwardly into upright position around the score line 65, and the panel 60, with the ball return device 4, may be inserted into the housing 2 adjacent to the end wall 9 thereof. In inserting the panel 60 and the ball return device 4 into the housing 2, the inner edges thereof are disposed below the tongue 58 with the edge portion of the panel 60 defined by the score line 66 preferably disposed in abutting engagement with the intermediate panel 51 of the floor member 3, and with the panel 63 disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the inner face of the end wall 9 of the housing 2. The length of the panel 60 is preferably such that when the panel 60 is disposed in operative position in the housing 2, the opposite end edges of the panel 60 are disposed in abutting engagement with the inner faces of the side walls 7 and 8, respectively, of the housing 2.

It will be remembered that the ball return device 4 may be of any suitable type, but, preferably, is of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,003,769. Such a device embodies a ramp 69 leading upwardly from the front edge 70 thereof to a suitable solenoidactuated ball return mechanism, not shown, mounted in a housing 71. The ball return mechanism is electrically operated, and a suitable electrical connection, such as, for example, an electric cord C is afforded for connecting the mechanism to a suitable source of electric power, not shown, such as, for example, the usual electric outlet to be found in. a house or store, or the like.

The ball return device 4 shown in the drawings has four upstanding ribs 72 on the front edge thereof, between which golf balls may roll in passing to and from the return mechanism embodied in the housing 71, FIG. 5. The tongue 58 on the floor member 3 has slots 73 formed therein, the slots 73 being of such size and configuration, and being so disposed on the tongue 58, that when the ball return device 4 and the floor member 3 are disposed in operative position in the housing 2, the ribs 72 are disposed in respective ones of the slots 73, and terminate at their upper faces in downwardly spaced relation to the upper face of the tongue 58, FIG. 5. With this construction, smooth entry of the ball 3 into the ball return device 4 from the ramp 5 is insured.

Two Wall members 74 and 75, FIG. 1, are removably mounted on the ramp portion 5 of the floor member 3 adjacent the side walls 7 and 8 of the housing 2, respectively. The wall members 74 and 75 are disposed immediately adjacent the lower end of the ramp 5, and each embodies an upright side panel 76 and 77, respectively, which extends rearwardly and outwardly from a respective front corner of the ramp 69 of the ball return device 4 to the adjacent side walls 7 and 8 of the housing 2, respectively. The side panels 76 and 77, together with the side walls 7 and 8 afford guide members for guiding golf balls from the putting position P into operative position in the ball return device 4. This construction insures that if the golf ball, in moving from the putting position P to the ball return device 4, should be deflected laterally of the length of the ramp 5 for any reason, the path of travel will be corrected by the guide afforded by the side wall 7 and the side panel 76 or the side wall 8 and the side panel 77 so that the ball will accurately enter the ball return device 4 in position to be returned or kicked back to the putting position P by the ball return mechanism embodied in the housing 71.

The wall members 74 and 75 are preferably made from flat blanks 78 and 79 of suitable sheet material such as, for example, the aforementioned box-board, FIGS. 7a and 7. The wall member 74 embodies a substantially triangular shaped top wall 80 which, as may be seen in FIG. 7a, is disposed between two score lines 81 and 82.

A panel 83 and the aforementioned side panel 76 are connected to the top wall 86 along the score lines 81 and 82, respectively. The side panel 76 has two tongues or locking tabs 84 disposed on the free edge portion thereof remote from the score line 82.

In assembling the wall member 74 in the housing 2, the panels 83 and 76 on the blank 78 may be folded downwardly around the respective score lines 81 and 82 and the thus erected wall member 74 may be inserted downwardly into the housing 2 with the panel 83 disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the inner face of the side wall 7, and with the locking tabs 84 inserted downwardly through respective slots 85 formed in the ramp 5 of the floor member 3, FIG. 6.

The wall member 75 is of the same construction as the wall member 74, except that it is a mirror image thereof. It includes a top wall 86 to which a panel 87 and the side panel 77 are connected by score lines 88 and 89, respectively, FIG. 7. Two tongues or looking tabs 90 project from the edge of the side panel 77 remote from the fold line 89. In inserting the wall member 75 in operative position in the housing 2, the panels 87 and 77 are first folded downwardly around the score lines 88 and 89, respectively, and the wall member 75 may then be inserted downwardly into the housing 2 with the panel member 87 disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the inner face of the side wall 8, and with the locking tabs 90 disposed in respective slots 91 formed in the ram portion -5 of the floor member 3 adjacent to the side panel 53 thereof.

As may be seen in FIGS. 6 and 10, in the preferred form of the putting display device 1 additional pairs of slots similar to the slots 85 and 91, such as, for example, slots 85a and 9111, are provided in the ramp 5. These additional pairs of slots are to accommodate side wall members which are of ditferent size than the members 74 and 75, such as, for example, wall members 74a and 75a shown in FIG. 10. The wall members 74a and 75a are the same in construction as the wall members 74 and 75, respectively, except that they are smaller in size. Thus, if in assembling the display device 1, a ball return device were used which is greater in width than the device 4 shown in the drawings, wall members which were smaller in size, and which, therefore, would be spaced further apart could be used so as to properly accommodate the greater width of the ball return device. Under such condition, the locking tabs of the new wall members, such as the members 74a and 75a, would be inserted into slits, such as the slits 85a and 91a, in the ramp 5 positioned to accommodate different size of wall member.

In the preferred form of putting display device shown in the drawings, a substantially L-shaped display panel 92 is embodied therein at the end thereof remote from the ball return device 4, FIG. 1. The display panel 92 is preferably made from a single sheet of suitable material such as, for example, the aforementioned box-board, and includes two panels 93 and 94 connected together along a score line 95.

In disposing the display panel 92 in assembled position in the putting display device 1, after the floor member 3 and ball return device 4 have been disposed in operative position in the housing 2, the display panel 92 may be folded around the score line 95 into a substantially L- shape, and it may then be inserted downwardly into the housing 2 with the lower edges of the panel portions 93 and 94 thereof disposed between the side wall 7 and the adjacent side of the floor member 3 and the end wall 10 and the adjacent end of the floor member 3, respectively. In this position, the display panel 92 is firmly clamped between the housing 2 and the floor member 3 and is thereby effectively supported in upright position, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the display panel 92 shown in the drawings, a golfer 96, in putting position and with a putter 97 disposed in his hands, is embodied on the panel portion 94 with the head of the putter 97 disposed at the point at which a ball returned by the device 4 upwardly along the ramp 5 will normally strike the display panel 92. This, it will be seen, affords a certain amount of realism to the display of the ball return device 4 afforded by the display device 1, the path of a golf ball, during operation of the device, being from the putting position P, immediately adjacent the head of the putter 97, to the ball return device 4 and then back to the aforementioned putting position P. Also, it will be seen that the display panel 92 affords an additional guard rail for insuring that a golf ball, returned by the ball return device 4 will not accidentally bounce out of the display device 1, and, in addition, it affords a practical, effectively positioned, and readily viewable surface on which advertising copy, and the like, may be disposed if it is so desired.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the display panel 92 is shown mounted in the housing 2 merely by way of illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and not by way of limitation, and in the broader aspects of the present invention, the display panel 92 may be eliminated without departing from the purview of the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel putting display device 1 which may be quickly and easily assembled and which lends itself well to shipment and distribution in either completely knocked-down or in substantially fully assembled position. Thus, for example, if desired, the display device 1 may be shipped and distributed in completely disassembled position, wherein the housing 2, the floor member 3, the panels 60 and 92 and the wall members 74 and 75 are all disposed as fiat blanks. With the display device 1 distributed in such condition, the recipient thereof, such as, for example, a store owner, can readily erect the housing 2 and assemble the floor member 3, the wall members 74 and 75, and the panels 60 and 92 therein, with a ball return device, taken from stock, being disposed in the panel 60.

On the other hand, if desired, the putting display device 1 is of such size and construction that it readily lends itself to distribution in fully assembled condition, including the ball return device 4, except that the display panel 92 would be disposed fiat on top of the housing 2. Under such conditions, it would merely be necessary for the recipient thereof to insert the display panel in operative position in the housing 2, plug in the ball return device 4 to a suitable electric outlet, and place a golf gall in putting position P to initiate operation of the putting display device 1.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel and practical putting display device.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel putting display device which is quickly and easily assembled, and which lends itself well to mass distribution.

In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel putting display device which is practical and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A putting display device comprising (a) a floor member comprising (1) an elongated ramp, and

(2) downwardly folded flaps on the edge portions of said ramp for supporting said ramp in position wherein it is downwardly inclined from one end toward the other,

(b) a ball return device mounted at said other end for feeding golf balls upwardly along said ramp to said one end, and

(c) guide means extending longitudinally of said ramp in position to guide such golf balls from said one end to said ball return device for return thereby to said one end,

((1) said ball return device having a marginal edge portion disposed adjacent to said other end of said ramp, with said marginal edge portion disposed contiguously below said other end of said ramp.

2. A putting display device comprising (a) an open-topped housing,

(b) an elongated ramp mounted in said housing,

(c) means supporting said ramp in position in said housing wherein said ramp is downwardly inclined from one end toward the other,

(d) a ball return device mounted in said housing at said other end of said ramp for feeding golf balls upwardly along said ramp to said one end, and

(e) guide means extending longitudinally of said ramp in position to guide such golf balls downwardly along said ramp to said ball return device for return thereby. to said one end,

(f) said ball return device having an edge portion disposed adjacent to said other end of said ramp for receiving such golf balls from said ramp,

(g) the upper face of said edge portion being disposed below the upper face of the adjacent portion of said ramp.

3. A putting display device as defined in claim 2, and

in which (a) said housing includes upstanding walls in position to define the outer limits of travel of such a golf ball across said ramp.

4. A putting display device as defined in claim 3, and

in which (a) said guide means comprises portions of said walls.

5. A putting display device as defined in claim 2, and

in which (a) said housing includes an upstanding wall extending transversely to the length of said ramp at said one end thereof for limiting movement of such golf balls from said ball return device longitudinally of said ramp.

6. A putting display device comprising (a) an open-topped housing,

(b) an elongated ramp mounted in said hOusing,

(0) means supporting said ramp in position in said housing wherein said ramp is downwardly inclined from one end toward the other,

(d) a ball return device mounted in said housing at said other end of said ramp for feeding golf balls upwardly along said ramp to said one end,

(e) guide means extending longitudinally of said ramp in position to guide such golf balls downwardly along said ramp to said ball return device for return thereby to said one end,

(f) said ball return device including a floor across which such golf balls roll during movement thereof between said one end and said ball return device, and

(g) said ramp including a tongue projecting from said other end of said ramp in overlying relation to an edge portion of said fioor of said ball return device.

7. A putting display device as defined in claim 6, and

in which (a) said tongue has slots therein, and

(b) said floor of said ball return device has ridges thereon projecting upwardly into said slots.

8. A putting device comprising (a) an elongated floor member comprising an elongated ramp downwardly inclined from one end toward the other for feeding golf balls by gravity from said one end to said other end,

(b) a ball return device disposed at said other end for returning said golf balls from said other end upwardly along said ramp to said one end,

() upwardly projecting side rails disposed on opposite sides of said ramp and extending longitudinally thereof from said one end to beyond said ball return device in substantially parallel relation to each other, and

(d) two Wall members extending from respective ones of said side rails to adjacent sides of said ball return device in converging relation to each other for guiding said balls moving from said one end into said device.

9. A putting device as defined in claim 8, and in which (a) said side rails comprise the longitudinally extending side walls of an elongated open-topped housing, and

(b) said ramp is mounted in said housing in longitudinally extending relation thereto.

10. A putting device comprising (a) an elongated floor member comprising an elongated ramp downwardly inclined from one end toward the other for feeding golf balls by gravity from said one end to said other end,

(b) upwardly projecting side rails disposed on opposite sides of said ramp and extending longitudinally thereof in substantially parallel relation to each other,

(e) a ball return device disposed between said rails at said other end for returning said golf balls from said other end upwardly along said ramp to said one end,

(d) two wall members extending from respective ones of said side rails to adjacent sides of said ball return device in converging relation to each other for guiding said balls moving from said one end into said device,

(e) said elongated floor member including an end portion projecting substantially horizontally outwardly from said ramp below said other end thereof, and

(f) a wall member disposed between said ramp and floor member and projecting upwardly from said floor member to said ramp,

(g) said ball return device being disposed on said end portion substantially in abutting engagement with said intermediate portion.

11. A putting device as defined in claim 10, and

(a) which includes (1) a panel member mounted on said end portion and sloping downwardly toward said intermediate portion, and

(b) in which (1) said panel member has an opening therein,

and (2) said ball return is mounted in said opening.

12. A putting device as defined in claim 11, and in which (a) said ramp has a tongue on said other end and disposed in overlying relation to the adjacent edge portion of said ball return device.

13. A putting device as defined in claim 9, and which includes (a) a panel mounted between said housing and said ramp and supported thereby in upstanding position at said one end of said ramp.

14. A putting device as defined in claim 13, and in which (a) said panel is substantially L-shaped and extends longitudinally of said ramp and transversely across said one end.

15. A putting display device comprising (a) an open-topped housing,

(b) a floor member mounted in said housing and comprising (1) an elongated ramp,

(2) flaps extending along respective longitudinal side edges of said ramp and along the free edge of one end of said ramp for supporting said ramp in position wherein it is downwardly inclined from said one end to the other end of said ramp for feeding golf balls by gravity from said one end to said other end,

(3) an end portion projecting outwardly from said other end, and

(4) an intermediate portion disposed in upstanding position between said end portion and said other end with a lower edge directly attached along a fold line to said end portion and an upper edge directly attached along a fold line to said other end, and

(c) a ball return device, mounted on said end portion and having an edge portion disposed adjacent to said intermediate portion, for returning said balls along said ramp from said other end to said one end,

(d) the upper face of the edge portion of said ball return being disposed below the upper face of said other end.

16. A putting display device comprising (a) a floor member comprising (1) an elongated ramp, and

(2) downwardly folded flaps on the edge portions of said ramp for supporting said ramp in position wherein it is downwardly inclined from one end toward the other,

(b) a ball return device mounted at said other end for feeding golf balls upwardly along said ramp to said one end,

(c) guide means extending longitudinally of said ramp in position to guide such golf balls from said one end to said ball return device for return thereby to said one end, and

(d) upstanding walls in position to define the outer limits of travel of such a golf ball across said ramp,

(c) said guide means comprising 1) portions of said walls, and

(2) other walls (a) removably mounted on said ramp and relative thereto adjacent said other end and (b) sloping inwardly toward each other from said first mentioned walls to said ball return device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,573,415 2/1926 Mendes et a1. 273-874 1,779,540 10/1930 Haynes 40-10625 2,237,746 4/ 1941 Perks. 2,835,495 5/1958 Lohr et a1 273-101 3,003,769 10/ 1961 Brandell. 3,300,215 1/1967 Coffey 273-101 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner RICHARD CARTER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 273-179 Disclaimer 3,469,334.Nick 0. Kategz'an, Chicago, Ill. DISPLAY DEVICES. Patent dated Sept. 30, 1969. Disclalmer filed Oct. 9, 1970, by the assignee, Bramlell Products Oorporatz'on.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 to 16, inclusive, of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette March 2, 1.971.] 

